Christie's bodyguard busted in Pennsylvania theft

Governor Chris Christie makes his way down to the Assembly Chambers to give the State of the State Address at the Statehouse in Trenton, N.J. on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. (Governor's Office/Tim Larsen)
(New Jersey Governor's Office)

A state police bodyguard to Chris Christie is facing criminal charges in Pennsylvania — despite his attempt to use his ties with the New Jersey governor to avoid arrest.

“Carvounis said he was on the governor’s security detail,” Tilden Township Police Chief William J. McEllroy told New Jersey Watchdog. “He said he makes $140,000 a year, and he’s afraid of losing his job.”

The trooper pleaded with local police and the retailer to drop the matter out of “professional courtesy” and tried to use his connection to Christie as leverage, sources added.

Sources confirmed Carvounis was assigned to Christie’s protection detail, a cadre of state troopers entrusted with guarding the governor and his family. Following the arrest, he was suspended from duty by the New Jersey State Police.

Carvounis’ shoplifting spree on Jan. 9 was recorded by surveillance cameras in Cabela's 250,000 square-foot showroom, according to an affidavit of Patrolman Dennis Schwoyer obtained by New Jersey Watchdog.